UCLA secure about depth despite Morris' exit

UCLA offensive lineman Simon Goines has been shifted to right tackle, which is expected to take some pressure off of his nagging knee injury. ARMANDO BROWN, FOR THE REGISTER

LOS ANGELES – Perhaps the best sign that things are quickly changing along UCLA’s offense line came this week, as word spread on Monday that freshman offensive lineman Christian Morris was planning to transfer from UCLA.

In any other year, Morris’ transfer might’ve crippled the Bruins’ depth up front and inspired many to question UCLA’s future at the position. After all, according to some recruiting services, Morris came to Westwood as the Bruins’ top offensive line prospect in 2013.

But with three solid performances up front to start the season and emerging depth at every position, offensive line coach Adrian Klemm let the news roll right off of his shoulders.

“We’re more than fine,” Klemm said. “It’s going to be like that: You bring seven guys in, hopefully four or five of them work out. We’ve had six that have worked out and three that are in the mix early on. I’m really pleased with where we’re at.”

Morris cited homesickness as one of the main reasons for his transfer – likely to Ole Miss – but poor conditioning was certainly a problem early on, as he rarely practiced since arriving at fall camp. But while Morris’ future might not be as bright as it once was, the rest of UCLA’s offensive line has shined through one month of action.

The Bruins' interior linemen have been remarkably consistent, with freshman right guard Alex Redmond (Los Alamitos High) excelling in his new role. Meanwhile, former right tackle Torian White played well enough to convince Klemm to permanently move him to left tackle – a change that came “earlier than expected,” thanks to White’s performance.

“I just wanted the mental to catch up with the physical,” Klemm said of White, whose trajectory was always on the left side. “He’s finally there. He’s worked really hard. … His anticipatory skills are getting better. As he keeps getting better, I think the sky is the limit for him.”

Simon Goines, who had been protecting Brett Hundley’s blindside, will shift to right tackle, which should take some pressure off of his nagging knee injury. Klemm also said that freshman Caleb Benenoch has shifted to right tackle permanently and will be a factor if Goines or White misses any time because of injury.

FACILITY ANNOUNCED

Since completing renovations to Pauley Pavilion last year, focus in the UCLA athletic department turned toward improving UCLA's football facilities, which are widely considered subpar in comparison to the rest of the Pac-12. But since the University filed an RFQ (request for qualifications) at the beginning of September to hire an architect for the project, little had been heard about the proposed facililty, called “Spalding West” for its location next to Spaulding Field.

On Tuesday, UCLA made it official by announcing a campaign to raise private funds to build the facillity, which will cost an estimated $50 million to build ($15 million more than the initial request had estimated).

There's no real timetable for completing the project, which will include a locker room, strength and conditioning area, meeting rooms, and coaches offices, among other things. But UCLA coach Jim Mora credited athletic director Dan Guerrero for putting the plan into motion.

“It was time and it is time for us to upgrade,” Mora said. “I think everybody realized that, and I commend Dan for really pushing.”

Mora said he never felt like UCLA's facilities were “poor”, but a new facility will certainly help make his job easier.

“It’s huge in recruiting,” Mora said. “If you don’t have facilities, it’s hard to attract top talent. Although here, it’s not as hard as other places. … We’re in Westwood, Calif., with the beach five miles away on one of the most beautiful campuses on earth. We always have that going for us. So if we can add a beautiful facility, it just accentuates what we already have.”

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